16 March 2022
The Launch of the Second Edition of the Book “World Heritage in the Arab Countries” in Bahrain
The Arab Regional Center for World Heritage, (ARC-WH,) hosted, a book launch, the second edition of the book "World Heritage in the Arab Countries", at the Center's headquarters in Manama. This major event was held in the presence of H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Center's Board of Directors, Dr. Heba Abdulaziz, Director of the Center, high diplomatic officials, prominent culture figures and media professionals.
Indeed, the second part of the book “The World Heritage in the Arab Countries” was first published by the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage and released at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the French capital, Paris, December 2021. The ceremony was held in the presence of UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, H.E and Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, President the Center’s Board of Directors, Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, and Director General of the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).
Speaking for the occasion, H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa said: "Through this book titled “The World Heritage in the Arab Countries”, we aim to document all our Arab cultural and natural sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List". H.E added: "This new pioneering endeavor achieved b ARC_WH coincides with its 10th Anniversary. Indeed, we celebrate ten bright years of hard work and determination with regard to safeguard and protection of our Arab historical and cultural treasures, a year and book we dedicate in celebration 50th Anniversary of the start of the World Heritage Convention in 1972”.
In addition, H.E pointed out that the importance of the book lies in the fact that it provides an official and approved document for all researchers and those interested in the Arab world heritage and promotes the richness of the human and civilized components of the Arab world, at a time when many sites in the region suffer from imminent dangers due to the continuation of natural and human crises, stressing the importance of continuing work on Assisting Arab member states in implementing the World Heritage Convention and supporting heritage sites in facing various challenges through the various programs of the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage. H.E also thanked the international French photographer Jean-Jacques Gilbert, who photographed all Arab heritage sites and was present at the inauguration ceremony.
Dr. Heba Abdul Aziz said in her speech that the second edition of book titled “The World Heritage in the Arab Countries” is a continuation of the first part and aims to enable Arab readers to explore the civilized elements of their societies that can contribute to promoting the process of sustainable development. Dr. Abdul Aziz indicated that the ARC-WH will continue to implement its strategy during 2022, and will celebrate the "World Heritage Days" next September, coinciding with the 10 Anniversary of the center and 50th Anniversary of World Heritage Convention.
Worth to mention that the second edition of the book “The World Heritage in the Arab Countries” would complete what its first part intended, by promoting heritage and archaeological sites registered on the World Heritage List, and documenting them in a single reference that Arab and international readers can go back to find out what the homelands have. The richness of Arab culture is an important part of sustainable development, as historic cities, famous markets, old houses, ancient mosques, and more
The audience also watched a film that reflects the beauty of the pictures taken of World Heritage sites in the Arab world.
The book "The World Heritage in the Arab Countries" in its second edition, which addresses the world in three languages (Arabic, English and French), aims to present and promote the World Heritage sites in the Arab world and disseminate related information, which are sites that extend from the Maghreb to the Gulf and vary greatly between sites In the second book, there are 86 cultural and natural sites, an increase of 20 sites over the first edition of the book. These new sites were registered on the World Heritage List between 2011 and 2019, reflecting the richness and beauty of the heritage that the Arab countries enjoy.
Indeed, the 2012 Ministry of Culture's published titled ‘World Heritage in the Arab Countries”, the publication has been awarded the Best Book Prize2012, brings together landmark images of each site taken by the renowned French photographer Jean-Jacques Gilbert and features multi-lingual descriptions written by ALECSO (Arab League Education, Cultural, and Scientific Organization). Bahrain Bay has exclusively partnered with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Bahrain Ministry of Culture to create the first international publication to showcase every Arab heritage site recognized by the. The book, ‘World Heritage in Arab Countries’, has been distributed through UNESCO’s entire global network and has focused global attention on the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region’s culture credentials. The French photographer specializing in world heritage photography, Jean-Jacques Gilbert, photographed all sites.
Henceforth, through the publication of the book "The World Heritage in the Arab Countries", the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage contributes to highlighting the importance of protecting the diversity that characterizes Arab heritage sites, in addition to investing in the registration and protection of these sites under the 1972 Convention, in order to achieve sustainable development and support the local communities. The launch of the book at this high level also contributes to focusing on the nature of cooperation between the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage and all Arab countries and raising awareness of its importance for current and future generations.
